It’s easy to get complacent about the sparks that fly around a manufacturing workplace. With things like welding happening all around us, sometimes we forget that sparks are a real safety hazard – and they can ignite a fire if we’re not diligent about fire safety.
Read on for four tips to help your manufacturing workplace prevent fires.
TIP #1: WEAR PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
Even if it’s just a small welding job, protective clothing is a must. Sparks can be caught in collars, cuffs, or pockets, which is why personal protective equipment (PPE) is so essential during the welding process. Not wearing the proper attire can result in a very serious accident, even if the job seems like a simple, low-risk operation.
TIP #2: KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
Do you know how far sparks actually fly? The answer is about 35 feet – and they can stay hot enough to be a fire hazard, too. While it’s not usually possible to have that wide of a safe zone, it is possible to consider potential problems within that space, and make protective changes accordingly.
TIP #3: REMOVE COMBUSTIBLES WHEN POSSIBLE
It takes sharp focus to weld, which means that welders can easily be unaware of combustible items nearby (think flooring, partitions, and walls). Welding must be performed away from gasses, chemicals, plastics, or other flammable materials – even heavy dust vapors can pose a hazard. Welders must be aware of everything within the danger zone and take precautionary measures before beginning the job.
TIP #4: KEEP CRACKS AND CREVICES TO A MINIMUM
Hot metal can tuck itself away in cracks or crevices around a welding area, causing major problems. It may not be possible to seal every crack in the building, but even taking care of some of the more obvious ones can really help to reduce the risk of a fire. Keep working fire extinguishers nearby and make sure your employees know how to use them
WE TAKE FIRE PREVENTION IN MANUFACTURING SERIOUSLY
Safety is very important to us here at O’Neal, and we’re not willing to compromise when it comes to preventing fires on our manufacturing floor. That’s just one of the ways we strive to achieve the highest standard in the industry – and when you work with O’Neal, you’ll see just how far we rise above the competition. Learn more about us today.